Hot Roast Beef Sandwiches: Best Cheeses To Compliment The Meat

There are many types of cheese that go well with a hot roast beef sandwich. These include cheddar, provolone, blue cheese, Swiss, gouda, fontina, muenster, mozzarella, pepper jack, and havarti.

Provolone, Swiss, or cheddar cheese

Provolone is a great melting cheese with a sharp taste that pairs well with roast beef. It melts perfectly over the meat, adding a nice, sharp flavour to the sandwich.

Cheddar, especially a good aged cheddar, will also really complement the roast beef. Its strong flavour will add a nice kick to the sandwich.

Swiss cheese is another good option for a hot roast beef sandwich. It has a milder flavour than the previous two cheeses, but it still has a pleasant tang and melts well.

When making a hot roast beef sandwich with any of these cheeses, it's important to consider the other ingredients and toppings you'll be using. For example, if you're using provolone or Swiss cheese, you might want to include some caramelised onions or au jus for extra flavour. If you're using cheddar, you could pair it with horseradish or arugula to add a peppery taste.

Here's a simple recipe for a hot roast beef sandwich with provolone, Swiss, or cheddar cheese:

Ingredients:

• Roast beef (thinly sliced)
• Cheese (provolone, Swiss, or cheddar)
• Sandwich rolls or buns (e.g. hoagie rolls or brioche rolls)
• Butter or olive oil
• Toppings of your choice (e.g. arugula, caramelised onions, horseradish, mustard, etc.)

Instructions:

• Toast the buns or rolls by brushing them with butter or olive oil and placing them in the oven or toaster until lightly browned.
• Warm up the roast beef by dipping the slices in boiling beef broth for 20-30 seconds or warming them in a skillet with some beef stock.
• Assemble the sandwich by placing the roast beef on the bottom bun, followed by your choice of cheese.
• If you want the cheese melted, place the open-faced sandwich in the oven or under a broiler for a few minutes until the cheese is melted.
• Add your desired toppings and the top bun, and serve immediately.

Feel free to experiment with different combinations of toppings and cheeses to find your favourite hot roast beef sandwich!

Horseradish sauce

Choosing the Right Horseradish Sauce

When selecting a horseradish sauce, opt for one with minimal ingredients and no added sugar or corn syrup. This will ensure a more pronounced horseradish flavour and a less cloying taste. If you're feeling adventurous, you can even make your own by mixing sour cream, mayonnaise, freshly grated or prepared horseradish, fresh dill, lemon juice, and a pinch of salt to taste. This sauce will add a delightful kick to your sandwich.

Cheese Pairings

Several types of cheese go exceptionally well with horseradish sauce on a roast beef sandwich. Consider using aged cheddar, blue cheese, Swiss cheese, gouda, fontina, or asiago. These cheeses offer a range of flavours and textures that will enhance your sandwich experience.

Assembly Tips

When assembling your sandwich, consider the order of ingredients. Start by adding lettuce or arugula to the bottom bun, followed by the cheese and then the sauce. This layering technique will create a barrier, protecting the bun from becoming too soggy from the sauce. Next, add the roast beef, followed by any additional toppings of your choice, such as radishes, onions, or tomatoes. Finally, place the top bun and serve.

Make-Ahead and Storage

If you're preparing these sandwiches for a future event, you can make them up to 2 days in advance by keeping the ingredients separate. Store the toppings, bread, horseradish sauce, and buns separately, covered in plastic wrap, in the refrigerator for up to a week. Unfortunately, these sandwiches do not freeze well, so it's best to enjoy them fresh.

Blue cheese with honey

Blue cheese and roast beef is a classic combination, with the strong taste of blue cheese working well with roast beef in the same way that horseradish does. The sharpness of blue cheese is a great complement to the rich, juicy roast beef.

A roast beef sandwich with blue cheese and honey is a delicious option for a hot roast beef sandwich. The sharpness of the blue cheese is balanced by the sweetness of the honey, creating a delightful flavour profile. The honey also helps to accentuate the savoury notes of the beef.

To make this sandwich, you can use sliced or shredded roast beef, depending on your preference. For the blue cheese, opt for a good quality, crumbly variety that will melt easily. Spread a generous amount of honey on the bread, then layer on the roast beef and sprinkle with blue cheese. If you'd like to add some extra ingredients, consider including sliced red onions, tomatoes, arugula, or lettuce.

To take this sandwich to the next level, you can caramelise some shallots to add a sweet and savoury element to the sandwich. You can also toast the bread before assembling the sandwich to give it a slight crunch.

This sandwich is a unique and indulgent treat, perfect for a hearty lunch or a casual dinner. The combination of sweet honey, sharp blue cheese, and savoury roast beef is sure to satisfy your taste buds and keep you full.

Muenster and roast beef

Muenster cheese is a great option for a hot roast beef sandwich. It's a mild-tasting cheese that pairs well with roast beef and other sandwich ingredients. Here's a suggested recipe for a delicious roast beef and Muenster sandwich:

Ingredients:

• 1 crusty sandwich roll
• 1 tablespoon of Dijonnaise
• 2 slices of deli roast beef
• 1 slice of Muenster cheese
• 1 tablespoon of mayonnaise
• Optional: sliced tomato, lettuce, arugula, spicy mustard, pepper jack cheese, hot sauce, horseradish sauce, or jardinière

Instructions:

• Preheat your oven's broiler and place an oven rack about 6 inches from the heat source. Line a baking sheet with aluminium foil.
• Place the roll on the prepared baking sheet, cut-sides-up.
• Spread the Dijonnaise on one half of the roll, then top with roast beef, tomato (if using), and Muenster cheese.
• Broil the sandwich, open-faced, until the cheese melts and begins to bubble.
• If desired, add any other toppings of your choice, such as lettuce, arugula, or spicy mustard.
• Place the other half of the roll on top to complete the sandwich.
• Enjoy your hot roast beef and Muenster sandwich!

Feel free to experiment with additional ingredients to create your perfect sandwich. For example, you could spread mayonnaise on the other half of the roll before placing it on top, or add some sliced red onions for extra flavour.

Arugula and micro-greens

When making a hot roast beef sandwich with arugula and micro-greens, it is important to consider the order of assembly. Start by adding the arugula or micro-greens to the bottom bun, followed by the cheese and sauce. This will help to protect the bottom bun from becoming too soggy. Then, add the sliced roast beef, followed by any additional toppings of your choice.

When choosing a type of bread, hoagie rolls or sub rolls are a good option as they are large and sturdy, allowing for plenty of toppings without the sandwich falling apart. Kaiser buns are also a popular choice for roast beef sandwiches.

In addition to arugula and micro-greens, other toppings that can be added to a hot roast beef sandwich include sliced tomato, lettuce, mayonnaise, spicy mustard, hot sauce, horseradish sauce, and sautéed onions.

Frequently asked questions